June 1, 2004
Ask Amy
Chicago Tribune
TT500
435 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Dear Ms. Dickinson:
While we do not doubt your use of the word “bigot” was offensive
to some of your readers, and we certainly respect your right to decide
what words are appropriate for your own column, both the letter and your
apology in your May 24 column struck us as going too far in the opposite
direction.
In arguing that you had misapplied the word “bigot” the letter writer
argued that “homosexuality” was both a “lifestyle” and a “behavior.” The
word “homosexuality” is not particularly well defined or consistently used,
but it is most correctly understood to be an orientation. In issuing your
apology you did not correct the writer’s usage, even though it was the
central tenet of her argument.
Your statement that “some homosexuals have definitely been subjected
to bigotry” trivializes the immense spiritual and psychological damage
done to huge numbers of people by anti-gay religious institutions, to
the physical harm done to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
by those who use anti-gay religious teachings as an excuse for violence,
and to the legal inequalities that all GLBT people face every day, most
of which are justified by religious beliefs.
Finally, both the letter and your response ignored the fact that people
are very capable of changing their world-views and belief systems to support
and affirm gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families.
Everyone has a Constitutional right to hold either anti-gay or pro-gay beliefs,
and nobody can force anyone to hold one or the other, but belief systems are
a choice, and sexual orientation is not. People who have chosen to change their
beliefs, sometimes at great personal cost, did so because they recognize the
prejudice inherent in their former belief systems and the damage that those s
ystems cause. We hope that you both respect and honor the struggle that they
have gone through and that many more will continue to go through as gay,
lesbian bisexual and transgender people gain full acceptance and equal
protection under the law.
Sincerely,
Barbara Lamond Purdom
Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators